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Man of the Match: Inter Milan vs. Fiorentina

Icardi and D’Ambrosio push Inter over rivals.

FC Internazionale v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A
Radja Nainggolan of FC Internazionale controls the ball during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 25, 2018 in Milan, Italy.
Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

With three consecutive wins, is it too soon to say Inter Milan have found consistency?
Here are our candidates for Man of the Match.

FC Internazionale v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A
Radja Nainggolan of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 25, 2018 in Milan, Italy.
Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Radja Nainggolan

Despite giving away possession that led to Chiesa’s goal Radja Nainggolan had a monster performance. This is the fittest he’s looked so far since his pre-season injury, an injury which has prevented him from fitting into the team as quickly as he should have. In my opinion his performance was ‘Rafinha-esque”. Rafinha, like Radja, also had to be rehabilitated before we saw his true colours - which happen to be Black & Blue. A complete performance from the Belgian included incisive through balls - yes even to Icardi - tackles, holding up the ball like a brute and pressing the opposing defence and forcing them to hurry their play. He even switched positions later in the game to lend extra muscle to the midfield. Everything we could hope for is coming from this player and it’s scary to think he will only get fitter.

FC Internazionale v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A
Danilo D’Ambrosio (L) of FC Internazionale celebrates with teammate Mauro Emanuel Icardi after scoring the second goal of his team during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 25, 2018 in Milan, Italy.
Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Danilo D’ambrosio

What can we say about Danilo? I doubt that he’s the fan favourite of a single Interista, and just when you think he’s useless - he pops up with an important goal or an assist. He was solid defensively and his goal was taken with aplomb.

FC Internazionale v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A
Marcelo Brozovic (L) of FC Internazionale is challenged by Jordan Veretout of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 25, 2018 in Milan, Italy.
Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Marcelo Brozovic

Did Brozovic really go all the way to a World Cup final? He seems to have found his legs quicker than Ivan Perisic. After playing next to Luka Modric for the whole summer all Inter fans will have hoped that some of Modric’s magic will have rubbed off on ‘Epic Brozo’. One aspect of his international teammate’s game that he’s really come close to mimicking is his tireless running, and a will never to give up. He gave away several balls, some in some really dangerous positions but that didn’t stop him from having a great match.

FC Internazionale v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A
Mauro Emanuel Icardi of FC Internazionale holds the ball during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 25, 2018 in Milan, Italy.
Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Mauro Icardi

Was there ever pressure surrounding the fact that Icardi had not scored so far in Serie A? The simple answer is no. He never looked worried, and hardly looked frustrated, such was his assurance that the goal would come. There is a theory that we have all lived countless lives, some of us retain memories from these lives and others keep their natural talents, if this was truly the case then it would be safe to say Icardi was scoring goals in other lifetimes. Other players might feel the pressure on their shoulders when not scoring but for me it’s in his blood, all wrapped up in his DNA.

FC Internazionale v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A
Antonio Candreva of FC Internazionale kicks the ball during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 25, 2018 in Milan, Italy.
Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Antonio Candreva

Candreva was probably subbed at the right time but up to that point he had a good game. Against tott he assisted the assist for Stefan De Vrij. Against Sampdoria he was one of our best attackers and in this match he won the penalty. He still does plenty things that annoy me and often kills the dangerous counters for us, but I can’t deny that he’s been useful and in the form of his life in an Inter jersey.

Winner:
Mauro Icardi

With the whole of the San Siro weighing down on him - Icardi did not bat an eyelid before dispatching his penalty for his first goal in Italy this season. The captain went on to assist D’ambrosio for the winning goal. Mauro has firmly put everyone’s worries to bed, suddenly he has 2 goals and 2 assists in all competitions. His movement was excellent and he sacrificed himself for the team on numerous occasions. He’s really matured at our club, we should be thankful.


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